Watch feminist movies for free at the 27th French Film Festival
Presented by the Embassy of France to the Philippines, in partnership with SM Supermalls and SM Cinema, the festival brings the power of feminist cinema to the forefront through a selection of films by French and Filipina filmmakers.
SM Supermalls President Steven Tan and French Ambassador Marie Fontanel
A celebration of feminist cinema
For the first time in its history, the French Film Festival shines the spotlight on feminist cinema with a compelling film program, including Prodigieuses (Prodigies), which explores the resilience of twin piano prodigies, and Marinette, the inspiring story of football star Marinette Pichon and her fight for women's rights in sports.
Festival standouts include Mon Héroïne (My Heroine), a heartfelt comedy by visiting French director Noémie Lefort, based on her own journey as a young filmmaker; and Une Histoire d'Amour et de Désir (A Tale of Love and Desire), a tale of young love and self-discovery.
Amplifying women's voices through the power of film
The festival kicked off with a roundtable discussion on "Empowering Women through Cinema" with director and festival “godmother” Sigrid Bernardo, who also showcased her acclaimed short film May at Nila at the SM Aura Cinema Director's Club. Joining her were filmmaker and University of the Philippines (UP) professor Sari Dalena; director Sunshine Matutina; Philippine independent cinema pioneer Raymond Red; Salome Kerrand; and filmmaker and historian Nick Deocampo as moderator.
French Ambassador Marie Fontanel (second from right) with film directors Sigrid Bernardo, Sari Dalena, Sunshine Matutina, Raymond Red, moderator and historian Professor Nick Deocampo, Salome Kerrand, Ann Angala, and the French Embassy's Mathilde Sejourne and Martin Macalintal.
The lively discussion provided insightful perspectives on how cinema can shed light on the conditions of women in the Philippines, enable the empowerment of women and girls, and highlight the importance of integrating women's perspectives into storytelling and representation.
The "Women On and Off Camera" roundtable discussion featured guest director Noemie Lefort, which generated compelling conversations about women in cinema. A special screening of the French director's film, Mon Heroine, was shown, followed by the roundtable on November 26 at SM North EDSA Cinema.
From left: French Ambassador Marie Fontanel, Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte, guest director Noemie Lefort (Mon Heroine), French Embassy Counselor for Cooperation and Cultural Affairs Mathilde Sejourne, and SM Supermalls Vice President for Corporate Marketing Grace Magno during the roundtable discussion on “Women On and Off Camera” at SM North EDSA
The 27th French Film Festival is organized by the Embassy of France in partnership with Alliance Française de Manille, Institut Français, Film Development Council of the Philippines, SM Supermalls, and SM Cinema.
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